Wire type recording and reproducing apparatus



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Sept. 30, 1947. E, BARRETT 2,4'Z8,U02

WIRE TYPE RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS Filed March 9-, 1945 4Sheets-Sheet 1 i 9 PERIPHERAL PERIPHERAL RECORDER.-

ERASEIZ REPRODUCER HEAD l v I x [44... M444 fz oriie s.

Sept- 5.1.. BARRETT 2,428,002

WIRE TYPE RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATQS Filed March 9, 1945 4Sheets-Sheet 2 k\\\\\ Q 50/ I 5 7 Sept. .30, 1947. E. BARRETT WIRE TYPERECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS Filed March 9, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 3a. 52 as 55 2 In velar/or Edwag? 13m)" (LAW AIM- 4 Sept. 30, 1947. E.BARRETT 2,428,002

WIRE TYPE RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS Filed March 9, 1945 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Sept. 30, 1947 WIRE TYPE RECORDING AND REPRO-DUCING APPARATUS Edward L. Barrett, Oak Park, 111., assignor to I EdwardL. Barrett and Ann K. Barrett, copartners, doing business asBarrett-Keenan Company, Oak Park, Ill.

Application March 9, 1945, Serial No. 581,853

20 Claims.

The present invention pertains to the art of so-called wire recording or"magnetic wire recording." Machines in this field have heretofore beenprovided in which sound is recorded magnetically on a moving wire orfilament, a paramagnetic wire being subjected to a magnetic field variedin accordance with the sound .wave which is to be recorded. Thereafterthe sound wave may be reproduced by subjecting a reproducer pickupdevice to the magnetic field emanating from .the permanently magnetizedwire as the latter is moved at recording speed past the pickup device.In most instances a winding is provided on a core presenting a pair ofpole pieces past which the record wire is moved; and this same windingis utilized alternatively either'in recordingor reproducing, the coilbeing energized to produce a magnetic field between the pole pieces andthrough the record wire for magnetizing the latter during recording, andthe flux emanating from the magnetized record wire being used to pass avarying fiux through the pole pieces and thereby induce a potential inthe winding during reproduction. Such a winding and pair of pole piecesmay conveniently be termed a recorder-reproducer head.

The general object of the present invention is to make it possible to doaway with the complicated system of motor-driven reels currentlyemployed for moving the record wire or filament past the head duringeither recording or reproduction.

) To appreciate the significance of that object it should be borne inmind that the system of wire reeling now employed is complicated indeed.It customarily entails the use of two motor-driven reels, on one ofwhich the wire is wound up and from the other of which it is unwound.Speeds and tension must be regulated with such nicety that the recorderwire, which is in fact a fragile filament only 0.004 of an inch or lessin diameter (about the size of a human hair), shall speed through therecorder at some 2 /2 feet per second or faster, remain taut andstraight as it passes through the recorder Orreprbducing device, and belayer wound, without kinking or snarling.

Least deviation from the exacting conditions imposed results in a brokenor hopelessly tangled wire which in most cases means a lost record.Moreover, the whole system of moving parts must be braked to astandstill almost instantly (again without jerking or snapping the wire)for the requisite repeated stopping and starting of the machine. Thatsuch a contrivance with its numerous moving parts, reels, reel drives,brakes,

tension and speed regulation devices, level winders, etc., should beexpensive is hardly surprising.

What I aim to do is to dispense with that whole mechanism.

I have discovered that, despite its pliancy and fragility, it ispossible to shove the record wire or filament endwise by means of amotor-driven friction roller Or the like acting directly on the filamentand thereby thrust the latter into what, for convenience, may be aptlytermed a peripheral coiler. The latter has no moving parts so that it isextremely simple to construct. The term peripheral coiler has been usedherein to designate a device comprising a container or the likepresenting a stationary surface or surfaces located to confineperipherally a coil of resilient wire or the like placed in it. Thecoiler serves not only to retain in coiled form a coil once made, butalso participates in the actual formation of the coil even though thecoiler is stationary. As the wire is thrust into such a coiler the wireis forced, by contact with the coiler surfaces, and under the urging ofthe Wire's own resiliency, to coil up in successive convolutions. Such a"peripheral coiler" is to becontrasted with and distinguished from spoolor core type coilers or reels in which a wire or the like is wound orreeled onto the spool by rotation of the latter. The characteristics ofthe "peripheral .coiler contemplated will be further evident from thedetailed description which follows of certain exemplary embodiments ofthe same.

A further object of the invention is to provide a self-containedcartridgeor package, containing the record wire, and which can beinserted in and taken out of the machine in which it is used with thesame facility as an'ordinary phonograph record and manufactured atcomparable cost.

Still another object is to provide a recordingreproducing machineadapted to utilize a cartridge type wire record. a

The invention also resides in various structural improvements in'certainelements of the mechanism as will hereinafter appear in greater detail.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthe following description proceeds, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a schematic illustration ofthe recorder wire feed mechanism illustrating the 'general layout andcertain operating characteristics of apparatus embodying the presentinvention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a home recording apparatusequipped to embody the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a wire record cartridge included in theinstallation of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cartridge of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a. transverse sectional view of the cartridge takensubstantially along the line 5-5 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 shows the configurations of the recorder wire within thecartridge of Fig. 3.

Figs. '7 and 8 are enlarged detail sectional views taken substantiallyalong the lines '|'I and 8-8 respectively in Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail vertical sectional view of the recorderhead included in the apparatus of Figs. 7 and 8.

Fig. 10 is a plan view, partially in section, of a modified form ofcartridge embodying certain aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view takensubstantially along the line ll-il in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of still another form of cartridge embodyingcertain aspects of the present invention. 7

Fig. 13 is a transverse sectional view of the cartridge of Fig. 12 beingtaken substantially along the line i3-l3 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a front elevation of the cartridge of Fig. 12, beingpartially along the section of line [4-44 in Fig. 12.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications andalternative constructions, I have shown in the drawings and will hereindescribe in detail certain preferred embodiments,

- but it is to be understood that I do not thereby intend to limit theinvention to the specific mechanisms illustrated, but intend to coverall modificati'ons and alternative constructions falling within thespirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Referring more particularly to the exemplary embodiment of the inventionillustrated in the drawings, reference may be made first to theschematic showing in Fig. 1 for an understanding of the general planemployed. As there indicated, a record wire or filament is led betweenthe bite of a pair of friction type feed rollers 2|, 22. By motordriving one of these rollers at constant speed the wire is shovedendwise at such constant speed through a "recorder-reproducer head 23.Opposite end portions of the wire are stored in a pair of peripheralcoilers as indicated. As the wire 'is pulled out of one it is fed intoand coiled up in the other. The layout shown being symmetrical, feed maybe in either direction.

The head 23 may take various specific forms, certain examples of whichare hereinafter detailed. By way of generalization. however, it may benoted that such heads commonly embody a pair of pole pieces, and in theparticular novel head 23 shown in Fig. 1 these pole pieces are 24 and 25being linked by a core 26 embraced by a winding 21. The record wire 20passes between these pole pieces 24, 25. During recording the winding 21is excited in accordance with variations in the sound wave to berecorded so that the flux passing between the pole pieces 2|, 25 andthrough the portion of the record wire 28 which joins them also variesin accordance with the sound wave. Consequently, the record wire ispermanently magnetized along its length with a pattern of magnetizationconstituting a record of the sound wave. During the reproduction therecord wire may be passed by the same pair of pole pieces so that theflux emanating from the permanently magnetized wire induces a Dotentialin the winding 21 varying in accordance with the pattern ofmagnetization. The potential in the winding 21 is or course suitablyamplifled and used to operate a loud speaker or the like.

By locating the feed rollers 2 l, 22 closely adjacent therecorder-reproducer head 23 a constant speed of the wire with referenceto the head is assured through maintenance of constant speed for thefeed rollers. Such being the case, it is of no moment whether or notthere be variations in the diameter of successive convolutions of thewire as it is coiled up since in the present apparatus that is not afactor determinative of the speed of passage of the wire past therecorder-reproducer head. Consequently, all provisions for level windingmay be dispensed with. To put it another way, the speed at which therecord wire passes the head is determined directly by the speed of afeed mechanism acting on the wire immediately adjacent the head and notupon the speed of some device which reels in the wire.

A second head 28, structurally identical with the recorder-reproducerhead 23 if desired, may be provided and is designated in Fig. 1 as theeraser head. During recording its winding is excited with alternatingcurrent of a frequency well above the audible range as, for example,25,000 C. P. S. This insures that the wire is cleared of anymagnetization that would interfere with recording immediately prior tothe time the wire enters the recorder head. Of course, duringreproduction the eraser head is deenergized. If at any time it isdesired to clear the wire to condition it for a new recording it is onlynecessary to pass it through the eraser head with the latter excited.Both recorder-reproducer heads and eraser heads are, as such, well knownin the art and constitute more or less standard equipment in the presentapparatus. Certain specifically novel and improved forms of heads are,however, disclosed herein at'a later point.

The recorder wire 20 is extremely fine in size. A diameter of 0.004 inchhas heretofore been common and more recently even smaller sizes of 0.003inch or less have been used. The primary requisite for the wire is ofcourse that it be paramagnetic, that is, capable of permanentmagnetization. Steel piano wire has heretofore been used as well asvarious steel alloys. For present purposes, the elasticity or resiliencyof the wire are also important in that a peripheral coiler cannot beused with so completely limp a strand as'a piece of string. Whereasresiliency is a disadvantage with spool type reels heretofore used, thatcharacteristic common to paramagnetic wires available has been put toadvantageous use here. In that connection, however, it is to be borne inmind that even steel in such fine strands as herein contemplated is verypliant.

I have discovered that even such a hair-like filament as recorder wireof the class here in question can be successfully coiled in, anduncalled from, a peripheral coiler. The most unexpected aspect of thatdiscovery lies in the fact that hundreds or even thousands of turns ofsuch filament can be shoved into a. peripheral coiler with theconvolutions of the coil lying in random fashion, and yet pulled outagain without kinking or snarling. Nor does violent shaking of thecoiler with the loosely received and random coiled mass of wire in itsnarl or kink the wire. Such handling of thousands of feet of fine wiremight naturally be expected to result in a hopeless tangle, but such isnot the case. On the contrary it feeds smoothly and easily through theapparatus disclosed.

In actual installations wire record apparatus of the general type inquestion is used for any one of a widevariety of purposes such as inhome recording sets, dictaphones, telephone circuit monitors, etc.Simply by way of example, a typical home recording installation has beenindicated in Fig. 2 wherein a conventional radio cabinet 29 has a toppanel'3il supporting an apparatus embodying the present invention andwhich stores and feeds the record wire.

The principal elements of the apparatus mounted on the panel 3d are, asindicated in Fig. 1, a head, a pair of peripheral coilers with a recordwire led betwen them ,and a feed roller for feeding the wire from onecoiler to the other past the head. For'convenienc'e in handling the wirein removing and replacing the same with a new length, someor all of theseveral elements noted, in addition to the wire itself, may be madereadily detachable from the panel to so they can be lifted on 01replacement as a unit. Just how many of the elements are included in thereplaceable unit, and how many are permanently built into the machine,depends in large measure on how the makers of the units and machinesrespectively wish to merchandisethem.

In the installation shown in Fig. 2, and in somewhat greater detailinFigs. 3 to 9, the two peripheral coilers are constituted by portions ofa removable cartridge 3i, containing the record wire 20. The heads andmotor-driven feed roller are, on the other hand, built into the radiocabinet. Certain others oi the numerous available lines of separationbetween elements, for purposes of wire replacement, are illustrated inFigs. 10 to 14 and are described at a later point.

In the use of the outfit shown in Fig. 2, sound picked up by amicrophone 32 is recordedmagnetically on the wire of the cartridge 3i.'Thereafter the recording may beplayed back on the audioamplifiercircuit of the radio set. Since the circuits for exciting'the head 23during recording. and for exciting the amplifier circuit from the headduring reproduction, are both well known and in any event form no partof the present invention. they have not been illustrated.

Turning now to the detail of the particular cartridge '3! shown in Figs.3 and 4, it comprises 9. casing defining two generally annular, axiallyalined, storage chambers 33, 36 for the respective opposite endportionsof the record wire 20. The casing structure comprises a pair of opposed,generally cup-shaped end members 35, to each of which is fixed a taperedclosure member 36. In

the opposed ends of the latter are alined guide throats 31 through whichthe wire 20 is threaded. The members are joined by rigidly. attachedfins 38 which thus unite the two assemblies 36, 36 as asingle unitarystructure. The unit as a whole thushas an hour-glass shape.

The end portions of the record wire 20 are bundled in patternedconfiguration, in this instance coiled, in the chambers 33, 34, theresiliency of the wire urging the convolutions or loop of the coilsoutward against the side walls of the members which confine themperipherally. If desired. the centers of the end members 35 may beindented in the form of generally conical em- 6 inences 39 as shown(Fig. 4) to aid in guiding the entering wire into the coil in thecorresponding chamber.

It is to be observed that the inner walls oi. the cartridge defining thechambers 33, 34 are smooth throughout, being shaped as surfaces ofrevolution about the respective longitudinal axes of these chambers.These latter axes pass through the entrance throats 31, being alined inthe present instance. The shape of the cartridge casing structure issuch as to lend itself readily to low cost fabrication from moldedplastic, glass, sheet metal or combinations of such materials.

The portion of the record wire 20 lying between the throats 81 is, aswill be seen in Figs. 3 and 4, exposed so that when the cartridge isinstalled on a machine as in Fig. 2, this exposed portion of the engagedin the bite of the rollers 2i, 22. Spring biased latches til (Figs. 2and '7) projecting upward through apertures in the panel grip the edgesof the cartridge fins 38 and releasably hold the cartridge 3! inposition during use.

In the particular cartridge shown in Figs. 3 to 7 an abutment forcoaction with the motordriven roller 2|, in this case the upper roller22, constitutes a part of the removable cartridge itself. This roller 22may desirably have a rubber covering 22a. .(Fig. ,5) and is journaled ona pin it fixed in a pair of lugs M rising from respective ones of thefins 38, the roller being disposed between the spaced inner edges ofthese flns. This roller 22 thus constitutes an abutment against whichthe wire 20 is pressed by the companion feed roller 2| when thecartridge 3! is latched in place on the machine.

A preferred form of motor drive for the feed roller 2| is shown in Fig."I. As there indicated.

a small constant speed electric motor 63 is fixed in the machineadjacent the mounting point for the carriage as, for example, beneaththe top panel 30 in the machine of Fig. 2. This motor has a shaft Mcarrying a friction disk on one end opposed to a complemental frictiondisk it on a shaft. ll carrying the roller 2|. The motor shaft 44 isurged by a spring it out-ward into position in which the disks d5, 36are disengaged. The motor d3 normally runs continuously and to start therecorder feed the operator has only to press inward on a push button A9at the outer end of the motor shaft M so that thedisk it is pressed intodriving engagement with the companion disk at. Release of the button itpermits the motor shaft 3 to spring outward again, interrupting thedrive to the feed roller 2!. The latter may be made of some lightmaterial such as aluminum to minimize its inertia and hence its overrunupon stopping. The feed roller 2 l' itself is journaled on a support 50on the panel 30 so as to be exposed for contact with the wire 20 above Athe motor driven roller 2| revolves the recorder wire 20 is shovedendwise as, for example, from the cartridge chamber 33 into the otherchamber 34. In passing, it is to be observed that to feed the wire inthe opposite direction it is only necessary to reverse the motor 43 orelse to lift the cartridge 3! off of the machine and reinsert it withthe cartridge turned end-for-end. As the wire is shoved into one of thechambers 33 34 by the feed roller 2! it is directed outward toward theside wall of the end member 35 by the conical protrusion 39 in thecenter 01 the latter and coils up in successive convolutions as shown(Figs. 4 and 6). The resiliency of the wire tends a reinforcing strap53.

to bulge the convoiutions of the coil outward into contact with theconfining side wall of the container. By merely confining the coilperipherally as the wire is progressively shoved into the chamher, acoil is automatically formed. Hence the name peripheral coiler. It willbe observed that no reel or other moving part is required.

The relative direction of coiling in the two chambers 33, 34 is ofimportance in assuring smooth operation. As best shown in Fig. 6, thecoils in the two chambers are each wound in the same direction as viewedfrom the respective entrance ends of such chambers. Thus in Fig. 6 bothcoils are wound counterclockwise as viewed from the entrance ends oftheir respective chambers. Since the two chambers are axially alined inthis instance, when the coils are viewed simultaneously from any one endof the cartridge they are seen to be oppositely wound with respect toeach other. As a consequence of such relative direction of winding forthe two coils, the twist imparted to the wire as an incident to pullingit out-of one coil is precisely the opposite of the twist imparted inlaying it down in the other coil. Any tendency to kink or snarl the wireas an incident to use of a peripheral coiler, as such, is thuscompensated for by the described interrelation of the direction ofcoiling in the two coilers.

In the use of the cartridge it it is latched in place on the panel 30 by'the fingers In. These latch fingers urge the cartridge downward so thatthe idler or abutment roller 22 presses the wire 2! against theunderlying motor driven feed roller 2|. The portions of the record wireon opposite sides of 'the rollers 2i, 22 are received in the slottedupper ends of the heads 23, 28. When so installed the user has only toinstitute the motor drive for the roller 2| by pushing the button 4! tofeed the wire from one cartridge chamber to the other through the heads.Particularly significant is the fact that upon releasing the button 49to interrupt the motor drive, the record wire 20 stops movingsubstantially instantaneously thus eliminating the necessity for anybrake mechanism. Such instantaneous stoppage results from the fact thatthe inertia of the short portion of the hair-like record wire which isactually moving at any particular time is so small as to be completelynegligible. Extremely accurate start-stop control is thus made possiblewith the simplest of apparatus.

As heretofore noted, the two heads 23 and 28 are fixed to the panel 3!!in position for coaction with the portion of the wire 20 between thethroats 31 of a cartridge 3! latched in position above the heads. Theheads are disposed on opposite sides of the motor drive feed roller 2iin close proximity to it (Fig. 8). Since the two heads may be identical,a description of one will suflice for both.

As best shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, the head 23 comprises a pair of sheetmetal plates made of ferromagnetic material and which constitute therespective pole pieces 24, 25. Sandwiched between these plates is asheet of mica or other non-magnetic material 5 I. The upper ends of theplates are secured together by non-magnetic rivets 52 passing throughthe same and through The lower end portion of the member 25 is offsetoutwardly to provide space for the winding 21 which encircles a magneticcore member 26 staked between the lower portions of the members 24, 25.The upper ends or the members 24, 25 are notched, as indicated 8 at M,55, to receive the record wire (Figs. 7 and 9). When the cartridge Si isinserted in the machine, the record wire drops into the notches in theupper ends of the heads.

If desired, the head or heads employed may be made a part of theremovable cartridge, rather than of the machine to which the latter isapplied. A modified cartridge am of such character is shown in Figs. 10and 11. The same reference numerals have been used to identify partsmatching those of the cartridge 3| heretofore described. Since thecasing structure is the same, further detailing of it is unnecessary.The principal point of differentiation is that the heads, in thisinstance a recorder-reproducer head 23:: and-an eraser head 28a, arebuilt directly into the cartridge. And since they do not have to beremoved from the wire 20 upon removal of the cartridge from the machine,a toroidal form of head having superior operating characteristics isemployed, even though the cost of the cartridge is somewhat increased.It will be understood of course that the record wire is coiled in theperlph- 51, 58 bordering the open centers of the toroids are spacedapart to define pairs of spaced annular pole pieces. Moreover, thesehousing edges are preferably flanged, as indicated at 6!, such flangesbeing narrow in an axial direction so as to minimize the area of contactof the pole pieces with the record wire 20 which passes through 1 them.

The heads 23a, 28a are pressed into annular recesses 36a in the opposedends of the casing members 36, the axial openings in the centers of theheads being registered with the guide throats 31. The record wire 20passes centrally through the axial openings in the heads and thencethrough the guide throats 31.

The leads 82 from the windings 56 are carried out to correspondingpin-type terminals 3 adapted to be plugged into female receptaclesindicated by broken lines at 64. With such an arrangement latch fingers,like 40 heretofore described for the cartridge 3!, may be omitted sincethe plugging in of the pins 63 holds the cartridge removably in place.

By using annular pole pieces on the heads 23a, 28a, each completelysurrounding the record wire in a direction circumferentially of thelatter, maximum uniformity of location of the magnetic field set up inthe wire during recording is insured. In other words, the field set upin the wire is uniform circumferentially of the wire. Moreover, duringreproduction there is always an air gap of minimum reluctance from wireto pole piece even though the magnetization of the wire is not entirelyuniform circumierentially of the wire. These facts contribute tofidelity of recording and reproduction.

The central apertures defined by the annular pole pieces 60, ii in theheads 23a, 28a are barely large enough to permit tree passage of therecord wire 20 so that there is a minimum of air gap from pole piece towire and hence minimum leakage of flux between the pole pieces outsidethe wire. On the other hand, since the pole pieces 60, 8| are very shortin a direction axial of the wire, there is a minimum fringing of fluxbetween the wire and pole piece at points along the wire outside thearea or portion of the wire directly embraced by the pole pieces. Thislatter factor again contributes to fidelity of operation.

If it i desired to so fashion the cartridge that the record wire iscompletely sealed at all times, thus effectively protecting it from theatmosphere, the further modified cartridge construction of Figs. 12 to14 may be employed. The cartridge Mb there shown is substantially likethe cartridge 3ia heretofore described except that both of the feedrollers 21!, 22, rather than simply the abut ment roller 22, areincluded in the cartridge or removable unit. Thus in the cartridge 3ibthe abutment roller 22 is joumaled on a pin M as before, whereas thecompanion roller 2i is fixed on a pin 65 (Fig. 13) joumaled in thesidewalls of a box-like housing 66 fashionedon the opposed edges of thefins 38 and completely enclosing the rollers 21, 22. The outer end ofthe roller shaft 85 is squared, as indicated at 61, for removableattachment to the same of a motor driven coupling (not shown). Thehousing 66 enclosing the rollers 2|, 22 may be fashioned in variousways, as, for example, by a cup-like extension, such as that shown, onthe inner edge of one of the fins 38 and coacting with a complementalflat end wall extension'on the inner edge'of thefilament extendingbetween said throats, means including a friction roller disposedtransaxially of said portion of said filament for feeding the same pastsaid pole pieces, the end portions of said filament being freely coiledin respective ones of said chambers, and the interior surfaces of saidchambers being smoooth surfaces of revolution about an axis passingthrough said throats, whereby the chambers are shaped to embraceperipherally the coils of filament therein.

2. In a record apparatus of the general type set forth, the combinationof a casing structure defining a pair f storage chambers havingrespective entrance throats disposed in spaced opposed relation, ahair-like paramagnetic record filament guidingly threaded through saidthroats, a recorder-reproducer head having a pair of pole piecesdisposed in adjacency to the portion of said filament extending betweensaid throats, a friction roller and an opposed abutment disposed withsaid roller lying transaxially of said portion of said filament and withthe latter passing between said abutment and roller at a point inproximity to said head, a drive motor for revolving said roller to feedsaid filament endwlse past said pole pieces, the end portions of saidfilament being freely coiled in respective ones of said chambers in likedirections as individually viewed from the respective throat ends ofsaid chambers, and the interior surfaces of said chambers being smoothsurfaces of revolution about an axis passing through said throat,whereby the chambers l 10 are shaped to embrace peripherally the coilsof filament therein.

3. In an apparatus of the general type set forth, the combination of apair of peripheral coilers each having a guide throat at one endthereof, a hair-like paramagnetic record filament guidingly threadedthrough said throats with its end portions received in respective onesof said coilers, a recorder-reproducer head, and means including a motordriven friction roller engageable with the portion of said filamentpassing between said throats for feeding said filament out of one coilerpast said head and into the other coiler,

4. In an apparatus of the general type set forth, the combination of aperipheral coiler having a guide throat at one end thereof, a hair-likeparamagnetic record filament guidingly threaded through said throat withan end portion of such filament coiled within said coiler, arecorder-reproducer "head, and means including a motor driven frictionroller'engageable with the pertion of said filament passing into saidthroat for feeding said filament past said head and into said coiler.

5. The combination with a peripheral coiler, of means including afriction feed roller for pushing a hair-lik record filament into saidcoiler at substantially constant speed while simultaneously imparting tothe filament a compensating twist about the longitudinal axis of thefilament opposite to that imposed upon the filament by coiling of thesame in said coiler.

6. In a record mechanism of the general type set forth, the combinationof a head presenting a pair of pole pieces for coaction with amagnetizable hair-like paramagnetic record filament, a

stationary storage container, and motor-driven means engageable with thefilament at a point adjacent said head for pushing said filament betweensaid pole pieces at a fixed speed and thence into said container insuccessive freely coiled convolutions.

7. A storage device of the character set forth comprising a casingdefining two generally annular chambers with an entrance throat in anend wall of each such chamber and with the throat located substantiallyon the central axis of associated chamber, and an elongated paramagneticrecord filament having opposite end portions freely coiled within therespective chambers and a short intermediate portion guidingly threadedthrough said throats and disposed between the same for engagement by adriving element for feeding said filament from one chamber to the other,said filament being coiled in each chamber in the same direction asviewed individually from their entrance ends.

8. As an article of manufacture, a cartridge type wire record comprisinga casing structure of generally hour-glass shape defining a pair ofsubstantially coaxial storage chambers closed at their outer ends andtapering toward each other to throats substantially alined and spacedapart from each other, said chambers having smooth inner walls and theirside walls being surfaces of revolution about the longitudinal axis ofsaid casing passing through said throats, a resilient hair-likeparamagnetic record wire guidingly threaded through said throats withthe portion thereof intermediate said throats exposed for frictionalengagement by a rotary feed roller or the like and with the end portionsof said wire freely coiled in respective ones of said chambers, theconvolutions or coils 'being urged outwardly 11 against said chamberside walls by the resiliency of the wire.

9. As an article of manufacture, a cartridge type Wire record comprisinga casing structure of generally hour-glass shape defining a pair ofsubstantially coaxial storage chambers closed at their outer ends andtapering toward each other to throats substantially alined and spacedapart from each other, said chambers having smooth inner walls and theirside walls being surfaces of revolution about the longitudinal axis ofsaid casing passing through said throats, a resilient hair-likeparamagnetic record wire guidingly threaded through said throats withthe portion thereof intermediate said throats exposed for frictionalengagement by a rotary feed roller or the like and with the end portionsof said wire freely coiled in respective ones of said chambers inrespective opposite directions as viewed simultaneously from one end ofsaid casing.

10. As an article of manufacture, a cartridge type wire recordcomprising a casing structure defining a pair of coaxially disposed andlaterally spaced generally annular storage chambers having alined guidethroats in their adjacent ends spaced apart from each other, a rollerjournaled on said casing between said throats and located transverselyof a line passing between the latter and a paramagnetic record wireguidingly threaded through said throats and over said roller, said wirehaving its end portions freely coiled in respective ones of saidchambers.

11. As an article of manufacture, a cartridg type wire record comprisinga casing structure defining a pair of coaxially disposed and laterallyspaced generally annular storage chambers having alined guide throats intheir adjacent ends spaced apart from each other, a recorder-reproducerhead including an annular winding fixed to said casing with the opencenter of such winding registering with one of said throats, and aparamagnetic record wire guidingly threaded through said throats andthrough the open center of said winding, said wire having its endportions freely coiled in respectiveones of said chambers.

12. As an article of manufacture, a cartridge type wire recordcomprising a casing structure defining a pair of coaxially disposed andlaterally spaced generally annular storage chambers having alined guidethroats in their adjacent ends spaced apart from each other, arecorder-reproducer head including an annular winding enclosed by agenerally toroidal metal housing divided transaxially into two sectionsto present opposed spaced end portions of said housing as pole piecesproviding the open center of such housing, said housing being fixed tosaid casing with its open center registering with one of said throats,and a paramagnetic record wire guidingly threaded through said throatsand through the open center of said housing, said wire hav ing its endportions freely coiled in respective ones of said chambers.

13. As an article of manufacture, a cartridge type wire recordcomprising a casing structure defining a pair of peripheral coilershaving coaxialiy disposed entrance throats in spaced relation to eachother, a paramagnetic record wire guidingly threaded through saidthroats and having its end portions freely coiled in respective ones ofsaid peripheral coilers, and a pair of apertured pole pieces for arecorder-reproducer head fixed to said casing in position to receive theportion of said wire disposed between said 12 throats with such portionpassing through the aperture in said pole pieces.

14. As an article of manufacture, a cartridge type wire recordcomprising a casing structure defining a, pair of peripheral coilershaving coaxially disposed entrance throats in spaced relation to eachother, a paramagnetic record wire guidingly threaded through saidthroats and having its end portions freely coiled in respective ones ofsaid peripheral coilers, a pair of pole pieces for a recorder-reproducerhead fixed to said casing in position for coaction with the portion ofsaid wire disposed between said throats, said head including a winding,and terminal prongs connected to said winding and fixed to said casingand positioned to project from the latter for insertion in femalereceptacles to mount said casing.

15. As an article of manufacture, the combination of a casing structuredefining a generally annular storage chamber having a substantiallyaxially disposed guide throat opening into one end of the chamber, alength of paramagnetic record wire coiled in said chamber and guiding-'ly threaded out of said chamber through said throat, an opposed pair offeed rollers journaled on said casing adjacent said throat and enclosedby said casing, the portion of said wire guidingly threaded out of saidchamber through said throat being entered in the bite of said rollers,and means for'disengageably connecting one of said rollers to anelectric drive motor.

16. A storage device of the character set forth comprising a casingdefining a. pair of generally annular peripheral coiler chambersdisposed substantially coaxially in spaced relation, and an elongatedhair-like filament of resilient paramagnetic record wire having itsopposite end portions freely coiled in loose convolutions in respectiveones of said chambers in circumferential confinement by the walls ofsuch chambers and having a short intermediate portion arranged forfeeding engagement by a driving element, said filament being coiled ineach chamber in the same direction. as viewed individually from theirentrance ends.

1'7. In an apparatus'of the type described, the combination of a casingstructure defining a generally annular storage chamber having asubstantially axially disposed guide throat opening into one end of thechamber, a length of paramagnetic record wire coiled in said chamber andguidingly threaded out of said chamber through said throat, an opposedpair of feed rollers adjacent said throat, the portion of said wireguidingly threaded out of said chamber through said throat being enteredin the bite of said rollers, an electric drive motor for one of saidrollers,

and control means for stopping and starting the driving of said wire bysaid rollers'.

18. As an article of manufacture, a record cartridge comprising casingmeans defining first and second generally annular peripheral coilerchambers each having an end entrance therein, an elongated hair-likefilament of resilient paramagnetic record wire guidingly threadedthrough said entrances and having its end portions freely coiled in saidchambers with the convolutions of wire bulged resiliently outwardagainst the circumferential confinement of encircling outer walls of thechambers, the direction of coiling ffir filament being the same in eachchamber as viewed from its entrance.

19. As an article of manufacture, a record cartridge comprising a pairof moulded plastic cups disposed in spaced, opposed relation insubstantial axial alinement on a'common longitudinal axis, supportingmeans rigidly joining said cups and including closures for the opposedends of said cups, said closures having entrance throats therethroughdisposed substantially on said longitudinal axis, the interiors of saidcups being smoothly contoured surfaces of revolution about saidlongitudinal axis, an elongated hair-like filament of paramagneticrecord wire guidingly threaded through said throats and having its endportions configurated in superimposed freely coiled loops withinrespective ones of said cups, with the loops bulged resiliently outwardagainst the circumferential confinement of the. encircling side walls ofsaid cups, and the direction of coiling for said filament being the samewithin each cup as viewed from the entrance throat therefor.

20. As an article of manufacture, a record cartridge comprising aunitary casing having a hollow interior, a paramagnetic record filamentdisposed with a bight portion of teed filament exposed exteriorly ofsaid casing for engagement by a friction driver or the like, theextremities of said bight portion of filament being bundled within saidcasing in a patterned configuration in which duplicatingly configuratedportions of filament in the bundle he one on another with Number NameDate 909,414 Hytten Jan. 12, 1909 1,513,403 Lebeis Oct, 28, 1924 I2,340,440 Swann Feb, 1, 1944 15 1,666,077 Victor Apr. 17, 1928 2,210,770Muller-Ernest! Aug. 6, 1940 407,277 Bracken July 16, 1889 1,858,553Liguori May 1'7, 1932 1,949,409 Cohen Mar, 6, 1934 10 1,003,484 McFeeleySept.19, 1911 832,069 Lindquist Dec. 2, 1906 FOREIGN PATENTS NumberCountry Date 336,225 France Jan. 8, 1904 459,035 Great Britain Dec. 31,1936 584,219 Germany ..1 Sept. 16, 1933 585,406

freedom of withdrawal of successive portions into the bight withoutsubstantial disturbance or the remaining portions.

EDWARD L. BARRETT.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Germany Oct. 3, 1933

